Asher Bio
Asher Bio, based in South San Francisco, CA, develops innovative cis-targeted immunotherapies for cancer, autoimmune, and infectious diseases, focusing on precision and reduced side effects.
Company Overview
Asher Bio, formerly known as Asher Biotherapeutics, is a healthcare company based in South San Francisco, CA, USA. Founded in the Y-Combinator S19 batch, the company operates within the therapeutics sub-industry, developing cis-targeted immunotherapies designed to treat cancer, autoimmune, and infectious diseases. It is backed by notable investors, including Third Rock Ventures, Wellington Management, RA Capital, and Y Combinator.
Location and Team
Asher Bio operates out of South San Francisco, situated in the biotech hub of the region. The company maintains a small, focused team of three individuals dedicated to developing next-generation immunotherapies.
Immunotherapy Pipeline
Asher Bio's leading product in the development pipeline is AB248, a cis-targeted IL-2 immunotherapy specifically designed for solid tumors. Preclinical models have demonstrated that AB248 offers superior anti-tumor activity compared to other IL-2 therapies. The pipeline also includes promising candidates such as AB821 and AB359, focusing on precision immune cell targeting to improve therapeutic outcomes and reduce toxicity.
Cis-Targeting Platform
The core of Asher Bio's technology is its cis-targeting platform, which engages two receptors on the same immune cell. This innovative approach allows for the selective activation of immune cell types, optimizing efficacy while minimizing toxicity. The platform aims to address the limitations of conventional immunotherapies, such as suboptimal efficacy and undesirable side effects, by ensuring targeted therapeutic responses.
Leadership and Advisory Board
Asher Bio's leadership and scientific advisory board bring substantial expertise in the field of immunotherapies. The board includes respected figures such as George Georgiou, PhD, Miriam Merad, MD, PhD, and Robert D. Schreiber, PhD. The company's Board of Directors features accomplished professionals including Ian Clark, Bob Deresiewicz, MD, and Elaine Sun.